Thursday, December 18, 2008
Creamtastic Dave Matthews (a.k.a. "Dave") and His Band (a.k.a. DMB) to Play Vanderbilt Stadium Apr. 25
Posted by Adam Gold on Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 12:57 PM
You know, sometimes the tendency for big artists to skip Nashville on their arena and stadium tours is a good thing. Take for example the Dave Matthews Band. They've only been here a handfull of times in the last decade, meaning they've skipped us on the majority of the gajillion tours that never seem to stop. For 10 years we've mostly been spared the cataclysm of bow-legged hacky-sack dancing, inharmonious throaty vocals that sound as if they're coming from a man with a particularly traumatized scrotum, 17-minute insufferable versions of "All Along the Watchtower," date-rape anthems, splash cymbals, seven-string stained fretless basses and popped-collar Lacoste shirts that comprise a DMB show.
Unfortunately, 2009 is not shaping up to be a DMB-free year for us as it was just announced that the band's Spring tour will include an Apr. 25th appearance at the Vandy football stadium. I live pretty close to the stadium. Close enough to where I can hear their marching band on game nights and get stuck in their post-game traffic. If I can hear that then I'll definitely be able to hear this, and every time I hear Dave Matthews a part of me dies. I don't wanna die.
If you read my last post then you know I'm not a big Phish fan, but at least with Phish I can't even name one of their songs or conjure up one of their melodies in my head--and no, it's not because I haven't heard them, it's because of the utter fogettability of the songs themselves. All I ever retain from hearing them is the overall sense of meandering white-boy featherweight fusion and faux-whimsicality that hits me like sonic chloroform.
The Dave Matthews Band, on the other hand, are a jam band with hits. That's way more dangerous. That means I have to hear them at the grocery store, the gas station and any other place I find myself taking care of life's mundane neccessities. But not my house. Fuck that! I'm thinking about starting a petition to keep this concert from happening, or winning the lottery so I can just buy up all the tickets, which go on sale (nevermind, I'm not going to even tell you), like a mega-church does for a Marilyn Manson concert. Not in my backyard!
Don't even try to defend "Dave." You're just going to embarrass and identify yourself as a soul-needer. Scientologists have a ridiculous belief system that recognizes "thetans" as these dead souls that manifest themselves as bad vibes that inhabit human beings and are the root cause of depression, listlessness etc.... I don't believe that garbage, but I do think that bad music works in a way similar. DMB will eat away at your soul. It will cause you to lose friends. I know this because I lived in Boston, which has probably the highest concentration of frat-boy meatheads in the country. I would look into the dead eyes of DMB fans--which would leave only a single tear in my own, like the Indian from the commercial in the '70s. Don't go!
Comments (52)
Showing 1-50 of 52
You know, I'm just not that into myself anymore...
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/39670
like
dislike
Couple of things.
First, its 'thetans.'
Second, I live in your neighborhood too, and I am also not looking forward to hearing "Crash" echoing against Love Hill all night. Here's the thing, I remember after the Pink Floyd show like 10 years ago, Vandy agreed never to have big concerts in that stadium again. The Stones managed one (which didnt suck actually) but after that there were assurances that this wouldn't happen anymore. It's a dense residential area and lots of the people in it actually have pretty decent music taste, so I can't see this going over well....
How can you be in Eureka Gold yet hate on DMB? Have you heard your own record Gold?
you guys are in for a clusterfuck of biblical proportions for sure.
he played Starwood or Amsouth or whatever the fuck it was in '02. traffic was jammed both ways on I-24 almost the entire length from antioch to lavergne.
so hurry. get out of your leases and move to east nashville while the gettin' is good.
True, I am in Eureka Gold, but I'm just the drummer. The other guys in the band want me to get 16 splash cymbals and a rack mount system but I can't afford it yet, xmas is upon us though so we'll see what happens (fingers crossed).
I'm with coveted dicktard demographic.
boooring.
Oh, and this just in! Jay Leno's not funny! And Vince Young is crazy!
Do you have some personal issues where you think it necessary to bash every single artist that doesn't fit into your idea of talent? Like them or not, they are coming to your city. You work as a JOURNALIST! Cover events, put your little two cents in here and there...But if you want to go on some self-gratifying tirade do it on your own myspace page where you can sit back with your PBR, listen to your own band and mentally masturbate to how wonderful you must be...
Do you not like the city of Nashville? Do you not want the opportunity to enjoy live music? "Not Playing Nashville..." Hmmmmm...wonder why?
I don't care if you think you're playing devil's advocate here, simply starting a discussion or what because all you're really doing is promoting your own agenda...simple, sad, low self esteem wrapped up in a facade of Gold...
That episode of "House" with Dave Matthews is awesome. He plays a retarded concert pianist, the dad from "That '70s Show" plays his father, and Hugh Laurie plays The Boomtown Rats. Say what you will about his music or his fans, the man can pull off retarded.
Fucking Stoopid...lord forbid the cream just comment without being a dumbass about anything that can't sell out springwater.
I just LEFT East Nashville, Casio. I adopted all the pit bulls I could possibly handle and that block is getting hot again just like before the tornado!
Lacktocious,
The things that I typically bash on her like Dave Matthews are all well-established artists at the highest echelon of success. They don't need my support. When it comes to local artists I'm fairly redeeming and pretty supportive because I care for the local music scene. This particular show, DMB, is happening at Vandy, the place that provides virtually no support at all to the local music
scene. Music scenes thrive on the support of young people and Vandy students are an absent presence from ours except for when they decided to come out of the wood-work and trash the Cannery like a bunch of savages.
A very minimal amount of research shows that Dave Matthews/DMB has played in Middle Tennessee 12 times in the last ten years. That's 1998, 1999 (twice), 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (twice), 2005 (twice) and 2006. Even if you exclude the Bonnaroo dates (04 and 05), that's 10 times in 10 years. That's not exactly a "handfull" & I wouldn't exactly say he's been skipping Nashville. I am not a fan of Dave, nor am I trying to defend his music, but get your facts straight.
And really, what was the point of this piece? Did I learn anything? No. Was I entertained? No. Seriously - a music snob railing against jam bands and their fans - what a novel idea for a column!!! Maybe tomorrow you can tackle Widespread Panic!
I generally enjoy this site and its writers, but you are terrible. Please go away.
No, they don't need your support. Nashville, however, does...
Vandy may not support local musicians, but it certainly supports local music-through it's entire student body. How do you know their students aren't supporting the scene-are you walking into ALL these shows and checking student ID's???
Plus, the promoters that put these shows on, albeit with a monetary agenda, definitely support the local music scene. This type of diatribe doesn't do any good. It doesn't promote anything but your own agenda. I strongly support local music and have for the five years I've lived here.
And you?
MORE LONG WINDED OBVIOUS POST LIKE THIS PLS
LETS MAKE FUN OF NICKLEBACK TOO
I HEARD IF YOU USE YOUR CITICARD YOU WIN THEM AS A PRIZE.
IS THAT TRUE?
THATS ALMOST AS AWESOME AS LASER CREED.
2 night stands are considered 1 event. Relative to the amount of constant touring the DMB does (almost seasonal) Nashville is still a less than priority market for them (they have skipped us on just about all their fall and winter tours). Granted they come here more then most, but that's in comparison to bands that never do.
PS - I TRIED TO DISABLE ADAM GOLD POST FROM MY FIREFOX BROWSER BUT I COULDN'T FIND HIS NAME IN THE TOOLS OPTION.
SOMEONE HELP PLS
No two night stands in that list of shows, Adam.
12 shows in 10 years is not a "priority market"?
Let's pick another southern city of comparable size - how about Charlotte, NC? 11 shows in the same span. How about Atlanta? 11 shows.
You do not know what you are talking about. The spring and winter tours are for parts of the country (or world), that they do not play on summer tour.
Gold knows his DMB. I hear that it's part of the freshman seminar at Berkleeeee.I bet he knows a lot about Jocko Pasterwhatshis, too.
After reading this very well-written, but overtly negative op-ed/article, and the following comments, I am deeply disturbed by the amount of anger and ill. As a Vanderbilt alumni where I was a music major and a member of a social fraternity, I would like to disassociated some of these stereotypes and generalizations of the student body as a whole, from the kids that deserve them.
I am a fan of all music that is good, my favorite musician of all time is Wayne Shorter, I would just like to say that first, don't be so hard on DMB. I agree wholeheartedly that they have been overplayed and that their music is far from inspiring, but they do what they do and in fact have recorded some good music. And while they have simply plummeted musically since their first release, they have since revitalized their lineup with the hiring of saxophonist Jeff Coffin of the Flecktones and a consistent force in Downbeat magazine for his own groups recordings. The reason that many people despise DMB is because of the type of fan they have, which is in some ways very deserving, and yes even I get queezy when I hear "Crash", but no fault of their own. This relates to Vanderbilt because yes, a large percentage of the student body have little or no taste for music outside of hip hop, pop, country and anything 80's, and believe DMB is quality music but, please that does not mean that the entire campus is musically and culturally bankrupt.
Supporting live music for the average Vanderbilt student is a difficult task with the arduous academic responsibilities that seemingly never end combined with the convenient social atmosphere that defines that aptly named Vandy bubble. While the Greek scene is a driving social force on campus, and made up of plenty of miserable people I cannot lie, parties are on campus and the majority of students live there as well. Combine the influential social scene with upper level calculus, Bio-Sci, Prof. Buckles Econ and you get students that are mentally overwhelmed. And although Nashville is wonderful city with a strong music scene, one that is adopting diversity, let's be honest it's not New York. The variety of local music is still lacking and aside from the major acts that come through and a few others, the music scene is limited and will not be able to drive a large amount of students from a 6500 populous college, away from campus to see live shows. So if you have a choice of easily getting wasted with high prospects of getting laid, before then waking up early to study for a test, write a paper or give a presentation or going to see some local alt-country rock band that you've never heard of what are you going to choose?
So you see while DMB isn't the reincarnation of the Miles Davis Quintet, the Allman Brothers or Stevie Wonder, hey whatever ease up on them and let their loyal fans enjoy them, they have every right to even if their annoying about it. And even if you dislike them don't let it bother you, just relax and listen to some Bach Fugues or something. And not every Vanderbilt student is a type-A douchebag or a generically attractive and moderately interesting sorority girl, so give the school a break and take that passion and transcribe a Coltrane solo or learn Mandarin. Keep Swingin'
@ Lacktocious: The whole time I was teaching at Vandy (3 years or whatever), I never saw any of my students, or any other students I recognized from campus, at any shows I went to -- & I got out a couple times a week. (I do that despite the arduous academic responsibilities that never seem to end -- then again, I'm kind of a feckless graduate student.) Gold is right, they don't go to shows.
What's up with people who find this post "boring" because it's been done before? Trashing DMB is a beautiful tradition! Do you find Christmas boring, too??
I can't take someone seriously who doesn't even know how to spell handful. Dumb.
I see this thing in a different light. This is a major opportunity for all the lonely hipster boys on this board. You can actually go to a show and have a shot at going home with a girl. Unlike the 30:1 male to female ratio that you often find at the springwater, this show will probably be 4:6 male to female ratio. Good Luck Hipsters!
It's time to dust off all my AWARE COMPILATIONS! HORDE is making a comeback! PHISH, DMB...I hope The Samples get back together with their original lineup! I'm ready.
I think it is hard to fault anyone in this day and age who makes a career from building their own fanbase, outside of the deeply troubled music machine. And I love me some Five Guys Cheeseburgers.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters. See you at the human be-in...wherever that may be, under whichever freak flag you fly. "Music is good! Music is right. Music WORKS!" -
Pancho
Lots of Vandy kids go to shows. I sure did. The difference is most of them aren't going to overtly flaunt their alama mater, they're gonna watch the fuckin show! the kind that WOULD be readily identifiable as Vandy kids? You don't WANT them at your shows, trust me.
you'd be surprised how many vandy kids have never even heard of the basement or the 5 spot. i'm not judging. they're smarter than me, and hopefully one of them will cure me of something one day, or get me off with community service, or invent gum that beats a breathalizer test (since burrito has given up), but I'm just saying.
If you didn't know, Jeff Coffin (fellow Nashvillian) is playing sax for DMB. Nothing against LeRoi, but Jeff Coffin is THE MAN. After seeing them over the summer, the band is possibly better now than ever before.
Emily H., if Gold said something original it might not have been boring. But it was pretty cliche and redundant.
Also, it's kind of like a guy who hates all Thai food giving a bad review to Siam Cuisine.
And don't get me started on Christmas.
But the post ultimately accomplishes it's purpose. In case we hadn't already figured it out, Gold is one of the cool kids. And so are you!
What's up with the Phish bashing? I could easily say, "fuck Dave and all the dumb-ass frat-boys that listen to him"...
Get a clue asshole.
It should be noted that I actually like the first couple DMB albums... there are some solid songs on them.
Then again, I say the same thing about Pere Ubu, so I suppose it's a wash.
Sources close to the DMB camp reveal that Mr. Gold was actually denied the opening slot with his band DUR-EEka Gold....point of frustration?
waaahh, why don't you move out of suburbia to a trailer in the desert instead of complaining about the music that comes to a STADIUM.... isn't that what they're for, you idiot?? Gee, such problems..
After reading this post, I am ashamed to live in Tennessee. I am also ashamed of myself for bothering to read it.
As a fan of the band I could say, "You just don't understand." And I will. Which is why I'm glad I won't see you at the show... and if you really hate the music as much as you say, then I'm glad you'll have it jammed down your throat that night. I'm also glad you will probably get stuck in traffic on the way to a clearly cooler indie-rock show.
Musical elitism serves no purpose and pretending that your taste in music is in any way "right" doesn't make it so.
And throwing a hissy fit like a 2 year old over a band you don't like visiting one of the only venues in Nashville large enough to house an act of this magnitude is short-sighted... unless you just have a problem with acts that actually have enough fans to get played on the radio.
As someone originally from PA (a relatively short trip from Charlottesville), I was into DMB back when they were an indie band. 14 years later they are one of the only bands I still listen to and whether you like it or not, barring a great tragedy, they'll probably be one of the few bands that came out in the mid-ninties that will still be touring in 20 years. Kind of like the aforementioned Allman Brothers... who, it should be noted, opened for DMB in Atlanta a couple of years ago. They've also had Neil Young open for them in Charlottesville. I'd say that's pretty good company to keep... whether you like it or not.
And, for the record, I'll be as annoyed that they play Crash at the show as you... but everyone knows that bands have to play their hits in concert even if they are overplayed and generally not as good as a lot of other stuff in their catalogue. This is the curse of being a big fan vs. being a casual fan.
This seems like a good time to slip in a little something one of my buddies once said about the DMB. He was touring with them as a photographer one summer in the early 90s but left after just a couple of weeks. When asked why, he replied, "Because I couldn't stand to be around that crack-smoking faggot for another day."
Ha!
You Nashville homos need to get fucked and die! DMB rocks! Why don't you homos all go and fuck yourselves with your grand ole opry, honky tonk bullshit. Eat shit you ass spelunkers. And remember Jesus loves you!
Rev. Casey Treat
Christian Faith Center
www.caseytreat.com
Get a life you fucking piece of shit! You must be jealous b because nobody gives a shit about Vandy! Thats why dumb ass, nobody wants to play there!
Why the fuck would you write this article? Did you have fun arguing some dumbass point? You have no clue what you are talking about, people other than just DMB fans can see that. Nobody gives a shit about your dumb opinion or your pathetic life.
Grab the Dave Matthews Band widget to stay updated on the Vanderbilt show information!
http://seed.sproutbuilder.com/IAAWyrRoEO3RBO8P
I hate jam bands and their inauthentic mom-and-pop-pay-for-my-pot fans, but DMB is fairly innoxious compared to Phish & Widespead Panic. Their fans are insufferable bores, though, and, yes, very probably date rapists.
If it were WSP playing near my house, I'd be calling my Realtor forthwith. But for DMB, I would just go out of town or something.
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
